Community Briefs

A reason to shop

The one-stop Christmas shopping experience moves to the Winthrop Barn on Saturday (Dec. 14) for the Reason for the Season Christmas Bazaar, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The free event will feature about 50 vendors and food will be available. For more information, call (509) 322-1427 or email winthropbazaar@hotmail.com.

Count the birds

The annual Twisp Christmas Bird Count will be conducted Sunday (Dec. 15), beginning with pastries, coffee and tea at 6:30 a.m. at Cinnamon Twisp Bakery. Registration is at 7 a.m. No experience is necessary. Participants are asked to bring binoculars, lunch, warm clothes and field guides; snowshoes, skis and spotting scopes are optional.

The count will be conducted within a 15-mile diameter circle centered on downtown Twisp. There will be a potluck after the count is concluded. For more information, call (509) 341-4118 or 996-8168.

First aid course at Aero Methow

Aero Methow Rescue Service in Twisp is offering a two-night course in basic first aid/CPR-AED on Dec. 17 and 19. Cost of the course is $45 and attendance is required both nights. For more information, call 997-4013.

Hottell’s history starts in January

Bill Hottell’s annual history classes will cover Tudor England and Irish history, culminating in a trip to Ireland in June 2014. The classes begin Jan. 8 and will continue every Wednesday morning at 8:30 a.m. through March at the Methow Valley United Methodist Church. Topics will include Henry VII and Henry VIII as well as the reign of Elizabeth I. Cost of the class is $50. To register, call Hottell at 997-6655.

Main Street Christmas in Omak

The Omak Chamber of Commerce Christmas parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. Saturday (Dec. 14). Before the parade, children can visit Santa Claus beginning at 2 p.m. at the Ulrich Pharmacy building. Baked goods and hot chocolate will be available. After the parade, Main Street north of the stoplight will be closed for caroling, special lighting displays, live music and shopping.

Register for holiday food basket

Thursday (Dec. 12) is the last day to register to receive a food basket through the annual Methow Valley Neighbors Helping Neighbors program. Registrants must appear in person at The Cove, on Glover Street in Twisp. Holiday baskets will be delivered on Saturday, Dec. 21, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Food collection boxes for non-perishable items are located at Hank’s Harvest Foods in Twisp, Evergreen IGA in Winthrop, the Mazama Store and the Carlton General Store. Donation jars can be found at numerous establishments throughout the Methow Valley.